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Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
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The Circadian Modulators as Molecular Targets in Cancer-A Review
Anna Wolniakowska1, Joanna Roszak1, Zuzanna Sobańska1
1Center for Alternative Methods for Toxicity Assessment, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Circadian clock disruptions are linked to cancer. This review explores how targeting circadian clock modulators, like REV-ERBs and RORs, may offer new chemotherapy strategies for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Growing research links circadian clock disruptions to cancer development.
- Complex gene regulation and external factors contribute to pathological changes, including cancer.
- Understanding circadian deregulation aids carcinogenicity research and risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and systematize knowledge on circadian modulators as chemotherapy agents.
- To explore the role of REV-ERBs and RORs in cancer.
- To identify future research directions for circadian-based cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
- Analysis of small-molecule modulators targeting circadian clock nuclear factors (REV-ERBs and RORs).
- Examination of agonist and inverse agonist activities in cancer contexts.
Main Results:
- Circadian clock genes are relatively well-characterized, but their regulation is complex.
- Interplay of genes, expression products, and environmental factors can lead to cancer.
- Circadian modulators show potential as targeted chemotherapy agents.
Conclusions:
- Circadian modulators, particularly those affecting REV-ERBs and RORs, represent a promising avenue for novel cancer chemotherapy.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate their therapeutic potential and mechanisms in various cancer types.
- Targeting the circadian clock offers new possibilities for neoplastic cell treatment.
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